|
-
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments, Environmental Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments, Environmental Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
(more ... )
-
Monday, April 14, 2008
Associated issues: Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments, Commitment to Cost-Benefit Analysis
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, signed into law August 10, 2005, authorized $286.5 billion in transportation infrastructure spending for fiscal years 2005 to 2009. As one of the largest non defense discretionary bills to move through Congress, it is not unusual to revisit a bill after the fact to make technical corrections to address problems in implementation, misidentified project authorizations, and minor drafting errors.
Included in this bill are recommended technical changes from Department of Transportation that address the functional problems in implementing the bill; technical changes to SAFETEA projects which will continue to be delayed from breaking ground due to simple drafting errors in their description. Furthermore, universities and other transportation research will not receive their fully intended funding, and states will be unable to use millions of dollars transportation funds that were authorized 3 years ago.
The bill does not increase the overall size of SAFETEA. Several of my colleagues have approached me recently with additional project fixes. In some cases, I have had to say no to their requests because they either submitted them too late to be considered with our negotiations with the House; the request went beyond the scope of a technical fix; or because the proposed fix was to a House project which the House objected to the change. My Committee colleagues and I have been attempting to get this bill through the Senate since shortly after the President signed SAFETEA in 2005. However, a variety of issues have come up that have prevented our bringing the bill to the floor. In the interim, we have been open to discussing with members their fixes, giving ample time to get requests in. As in any bill of this nature there comes a point when we have to close it to further changes. We have reached that point.
Our colleagues in the House have passed this bill, I believe, seven times but each time it comes over to the Senate it has been held up. The bill before us along with the manager’s substitute amendment is the commutation of negotiations between the House and Senate. Any changes to the bill at this point will require the concurrence of the House or the bill will not proceed. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to understand that if you are planning on filing an amendment, before the Chair and I can agree to it, we need to determine if our counterparts in the House will accept the change. If they do not, we will oppose your amendment.
In conclusion, I want to assure colleagues that I appreciate your responsiveness to our numerous requests to advise the Committee of your requests thereby assisting us to help you. If we were unable to satisfactorily address your concerns in this bill, please remember that there will be additional opportunities to do so when reauthorization of SAFETEA gets underway next year. The Chair and I welcome your input in the process and look forward to working with each of you.
(more ... )
-
Monday, April 14, 2008
Associated issues: Commitment to Independent and Verifiable Science, Improving the Service of the Federal Bureaucracy, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
Following a March 10, 2008, Associated Press article reporting that traces of pharmaceutical contaminants were found in municipal water systems across the country, Senator Inhofe sent a letter to Administrator Johnson expressing his concern about the report and asking EPA to convene a working group of relevant agencies and industry to look for potential solutions to reduce overall pharmaceuticals in our water supply.
On April 4, Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles, sent this letter in response. Mr. Grumbles pointed out that, “[a]lthough the Associated Press series brought broad attention to this issue, EPA has been working with other agencies and stakeholders over the past several years to better understand the implications of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and other personal care products that are detected in our waters.” He also pointed out that, “while there is much information about the health effects of pharmaceutical products at the therapeutic doses provided in medication, there is still uncertainty about their potential effects on public health and aquatic life from long-term exposure to the low levels observed in water. In the absence of fully understanding the risks associated with low levels, it is difficult to move forward to require monitoring and/or treatment that carry significant cost, particularly when the Agency also needs to carry out activities to address contaminants with known risk.”
The letter goes on to detail EPA’s activities that address pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water, including the cross government coordination of the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment working group, to research at the Office of Research and development to working with the White House Office on National Drug Control policy to help with disposal guidelines.
Tomorrow, April 15, 2008, at 3:00pm ET [Note the Time Change], Assistant Administrator Grumbles will appear before the Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality hearing entitled, “Pharmaceuticals in the Nation’s Water: Assessing Potential Risks and Actions to Address the Issue.” Tomorrow’s hearing should provide Grumbles the opportunity to expand on the issue in more detail. Also testifying at the hearing tomorrow: Dr. Robert Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, U.S. Geological Survey. The witnesses also include: Jennifer Sass Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council; Alan Goldhammer Ph.D., Deputy Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; Shane Snyder Ph.D., R&D Project Manager, Applied Research and Development Center, Southern Nevada Water Authority; and David Pringle, Campaign Director, New Jersey Environmental Federation.
(more ... )
-
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Associated issues: Commitment to Independent and Verifiable Science, Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments, Commitment to Cost-Benefit Analysis, Environmental Accomplishments , National Security and Energy Independence
Senator Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed several Oklahoma priorities with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stephen Johnson, during today’s Environment and Public Works Committee hearing entitled, “Hearing on the President’s Proposed EPA Budget for FY 2009.” At the hearing, Senator Inhofe thanked Administrator Johnson for EPA’s continued progress at Tar Creek and took the opportunity to raise several Oklahoma-specific concerns.
(more ... )
-
Friday, February 1, 2008
Associated issues: Commitment to Oklahoma, National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments
The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) honored Senator Inhofe this week for his leadership in implementing the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Transportation Equity Act – a legacy for users (SAFETEA-LU). NSSGA presented Senator Inhofe with their Congressional Transportation Leaders award. In announcing the honor on January 2, 2008, the NSSGA complimented Senator Inhofe for his leadership, writing:
“This award recognizes your important role in implementing the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Transportation Equity Act – a legacy for users (SAFETEA-LU). Combined with your concern for the soundness of the Highway Trust Fund and the future of transportation infrastructure in the United States, our association has been inspired to honor both your vision and your persuasive hard work. Your efforts in this area help build America’s economy by assuring that our people and our nation’s products are able to move safely and efficiently along environmental sensitive heights, in and out of air and seaports, and via inland waterways and rail.”
The Oklahoma Aggregates Association recently highlighted NSSGA’s recognition of Senator Inhofe, and added their support for Senator Inhofe’s work on transportation issues: “Senator Inhofe is one of the best friends and advocates of a modern, safe and efficient surface transportation system we have in Washington.”
Click on the following link to learn more about Senator Inhofe’s National Infrastructure and Public Works Accomplishments.
(more ... )
|